Nazareth, PA- C.F. Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) is proud to announce as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility initiative, the donation of 15 LX Martin Guitars to the Dessaix-Baptiste Music School in Haiti in cooperation with Jimmy Buffet’s charity, “Singing For Change, (SFC)” and five guitars to The SHARE Initiative at rehabilitation hospital Shepherd Center’s in Atlanta, Georgia.

When Jimmy Buffet reached out to us directly and expressed interest in donating all royalties from the LX Jimmy Buffet guitar to SFC, we knew without hesitation this was a great way to give back to international community and encourage music education,” said company CEO Chris Martin.“Additionally, our previous involvement and contributions to Guitars for the Troops, which benefits troops serving in Iraq, encouraged us to team up again with another great organization with the common goal of benefitting the lives of the brave men and women protecting and serving our country overseas.”

15 LX Jimmy Buffet guitars are to be donated in cooperation with Jimmy and his charity to the Dessaix-Baptiste Music School in Jacmel, Haiti. SFC is devoted to “improving the quality of life for people and empowering individuals to make positive changes in the communities,” and Jimmy will present the school with the instruments and royalty cash later this month.

The Dessaix-Baptiste Music School was opened in 1998 by journalist Fritz Valescot,whose mission was to offer music education to children regardless of their ability to pay tuition, and offers students instruction in string, wind, brass and percussion instruments. Instructions begins at age 6 and there are currently over 1100 students enrolled, approximately 50 of whom are have been abandoned and left on their own with no family, or come from lower-income families. After the earthquake in 2010, many of the school’s instruments were destroyed. Martin’s donation will contribute to the two orchestras, chamber orchestra, three bands and two “Big Bands” the students participate in.

Five LX Real Tree™ guitars have been donated to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the nation which specializes in the treatment, rehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord or brain injuries. Shepherd Center is also home to The SHARE Initiative, founded by Bernie Marcus, (co-founder of The Home Depot). The program provides rehabilitation and community-based care to U.S. military service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and utilizes Shepherd Center’s resources to treat their injuries. A component of the program gives these patients the therapy technique of learning to play the guitar, but the program only had two guitars available for use until now. Martin’s donation of five LX Martin guitars will allow this program of intense yet effective therapy treatment to continue to flourish and rehabilitate soldiers.

Martin Guitar and its employees regularly makes contributions throughout the year to organization such as those above as well as the Martin Foundation and Guitars in the Classroom. Other recent donations include last month’s donation of several guitars to Parents And Children Together (PACT), a leading private non-profit family service agency in conjunction with the grand opening of the Hard Rock Café Honolulu.

About Martin Guitar:

C.F Martin & Co.(www.martinguitar.com) has been creating the finest instruments in the world for over 175 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size. One of the world's leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques along with those introduced by the company founder. Founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin, the privately held company has been continuously family owned and operated for six generations. Christian Frederick ("Chris") Martin IV took the helm of the company in 1986 and is its current chairman and CEO. Under his guidance, the company has introduced a number of new and innovative models that appeal to musicians, including the popular acoustic/electric Performing Artist Series, and several custom and signature Artist Editions.

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